Travel Agent or Not

[tcdcruiser]

Just booked a long cruise, 77 days , directly with Oceania.  Previously, with shorter cruises, never really worried about the price difference between a TA and Oceania. 

 

Now, given the overall price of this cruise does the community recommend I seek out a Connoisseur TA?

 

Without upsetting the  CC rules, suggestion on how to find a Connoisseur TA would be appreciated.  Thanks

[njhorseman]

1 minute ago, tcdcruiser said:

Just booked a long cruise, 77 days , directly with Oceania.  Previously, with shorter cruises, never really worried about the price difference between a TA and Oceania. 

 

Now, given the overall price of this cruise does the community recommend I seek out a Connoisseur TA?

 

Without upsetting the  CC rules, suggestion on how to find a Connoisseur TA would be appreciated.  Thanks

You absolutely want to transfer the booking to a TA, especially one who has substantial standing with Oceania.

A travel agent may be able to offer such perks as prepaid gratuities, onboard credit or a post cruise rebate. Plus in the event there's an issue to be dealt with you're more likely to get a favorable resolution with a travel agent dealing with Oceania  rather than you attempting to resolve it on your own.

I'd suggest using certain key words in an internet search engine to find the type of TA you want.

[jonthomas]

I always turn over to an agent. The rebates are substantial.

[HiFi43]

I absolutely recommend you find a travel agent recognized in the top tier of travel agents by Oceania. You pay nothing extra and you’ll have someone who absolutely knows Oceania, its ships, it’s cabins and has the right Oceania contacts to get done what you need to get done. We’ve used one of their top 20 (there is an Oceania recognition program that recognizes them) for 16 years and the service has been great. Oceania does not release their names but look someone who is recognized as an Oceania Cruisers’ Cruise Connoisseur Club Member (Top 20 Partner in North America) when you look for the right agent. You will often find special perks and reduced costs when using them. Plus if any issues come up with your booking they have the leverage to help you. They can’t break the rules but they can get the right attention from Oceania.

[mauibabes]

OMG, 

Bodega Bay, in the Harbour? Been there for over 35 years. Welcome to O and wow, 77 days! 
Yes, you need a Connoisseur Club Member TA for all the reasons mentioned above. 
Mauibabes

[Flatbush Flyer]

8 minutes ago, tcdcruiser said:

Just booked a long cruise, 77 days , directly with Oceania.  Previously, with shorter cruises, never really worried about the price difference between a TA and Oceania. 

 

Now, given the overall price of this cruise does the community recommend I seek out a Connoisseur TA?

 

Without upsetting the  CC rules, suggestion on how to find a Connoisseur TA would be appreciated.  Thanks

Even though the TA world is in somewhat of a turmoil with lots of personnel changes due to Covid’s effect on employment in general and hospitality in particular, this cruise is way too long to not take advantage of commission sharing to the tune of 5-10% of the commissionable fare as a rebate or refundable SBC. And having a TA advocate, should cancellation/refunds/FCC/etc “poop hits the fan” issues arise, is a smart move.

 

We found our first post-retirement cruising TA via Condé Nast Traveler’s “best of ....” list.

Others since then have been identified by continuously asking O regulars onboard “Who do you use.” After awhile, you start hearing the same one to two handfuls of the same Travel Agencies which are all members of the O Connoisseurs Club or O preferred partners.

Other than that and avoiding most recommendations from “Uncle Bob” or that neighbor who took a cruise a few (or many) years ago, I would suggest creating a list gleaned from TAs interviewed in major metro newspapers with respected travel sections (e.g., The NY Times or LA TImes) and better travel magazines. Interview everyone on the list (I and others have previously posted on CC “what to ask”- so search CC for that) and, from those with essential/desirable policies/practices and a style that “fits” for you (and who interview you too), whittle it down to a short list for a more focused discussion on best cruise line(s) for you, their experience with that line and the nature of “the deal.”

 

It’s worth all that effort to find someone (or two) with whom to work. But, realize that you may have to repeat the process when YOUR TA retires, quits, etc.

 

Happy hunting.

[LHT28]

Google is your friend 😉

 

[tcdcruiser]

I live near Portuguese Beach in Bodega Bay, about 3 miles north of the hamlet.  More ocean than harbor.

 

Thanks to all for the advice. 

[Hawaiidan]

3 hours ago, tcdcruiser said:

Just booked a long cruise, 77 days , directly with Oceania.  Previously, with shorter cruises, never really worried about the price difference between a TA and Oceania. 

 

Now, given the overall price of this cruise does the community recommend I seek out a Connoisseur TA?

 

Without upsetting the  CC rules, suggestion on how to find a Connoisseur TA would be appreciated.  Thanks

Search the topic....  It is leg work.....   ask questions of agents...   Do not confine your search to Marin or the bay

   I am in so cal   I use people in Texas,     Some in NM.     Some in Fla.       ASK  O direct  who their agents... ask the question on google !     .      You only have 30 days from booking to transfer...........     Even People in Gurneville    or  Tacoloma  dont book direct.... at the very minimum you blew off  5% cash back or discount off the price + God knows how many additional perks....   

 

77 days lets say at $650 a day, ok    thats $2500.00 to$ 5000.00 bucks,,,    you lost out on............   

Edited April 21, 2022 by Hawaiidan

[edgee]

19 minutes ago, Hawaiidan said:

Search the topic....  It is leg work.....   ask questions of agents...   Do not confine your search to Marin or the bay

   I am in so cal   I use people in Texas,     Some in NM.     Some in Fla.       ASK  O direct  who their agents... ask the question on google !     .      You only have 30 days from booking to transfer...........     Even People in Gurneville    or  Tacoloma  dont book direct.... at the very minimum you blew off  5% cash back or discount off the price + God knows how many additional perks....   

 

77 days lets say at $650 a day, ok    thats $2500.00 to$ 5000.00 bucks,,,    you lost out on............   

You have not yet lost out if you transfer to a TA quickly...do not know the exact number of days you have to transfer to a TA...but don't waste any time.  My TA is in one of the states Dan mentioned...I get a rebate check a few weeks before sailing for between 9 and 11 percent of the cruise fare. On some cruises in addition I get prepaid gratuities and additional cruise credit.

Edited April 21, 2022 by edgee
add'l information

[ORV]

51 minutes ago, Hawaiidan said:

Do not confine your search to Marin

Well............I wouldn't count any areas out. 

 

That's all I can say about that. 😇

Edited April 21, 2022 by ORV

[rbtan]

On 4/21/2022 at 3:11 PM, njhorseman said:

You absolutely want to transfer the booking to a TA, especially one who has substantial standing with Oceania.

A travel agent may be able to offer such perks as prepaid gratuities, onboard credit or a post cruise rebate. Plus in the event there's an issue to be dealt with you're more likely to get a favorable resolution with a travel agent dealing with Oceania  rather than you attempting to resolve it on your own.

I'd suggest using certain key words in an internet search engine to find the type of TA you want.

Yes, agreed. My TA did get the gratuities covered. Still tipped over the amount, however.

[Mura]

Yep  We've had a favorite TA for many years, since Renaissance days.  She's not doing many personal bookings these days but her old company is.  So while we are in NYC we had a TA in her company based in Florida, and these days and when he had to retire due to illness we began to use someone else in her company who is based in California.

 

If people can work remotely these days, using a TA in another location is NOT a problem.

 

Mura

[jonthomas]

Yes, I do all the leg work, then turn it over to a TA. We get a rebate and usually prepaid gratuities. 

[Harters]

I appreciate that the OP is in America and seems to be getting good advice from fellow Americans. But the benefits of using a TA there may not apply in other countries.

 

Whilst a British TA, specialising in cruises, may have negotiated a discount on a brochure price (but I have yet to see anything of significance over booking direct with O), I have never seen any company offering the benefits highlighted above - cashback, gratuities covered, etc. To the best of my knowledge, it just doesnt happen.

[Baz-t]

As a U.K. based traveller, I beg to differ. We always book through a travel agent ( Google the big names for luxury cruises) and always secure a discount from Oceania’s fare. Anything from 5% to 10%.

[Flatbush Flyer]

1 hour ago, Harters said:

I appreciate that the OP is in America and seems to be getting good advice from fellow Americans. But the benefits of using a TA there may not apply in other countries.

 

Whilst a British TA, specialising in cruises, may have negotiated a discount on a brochure price (but I have yet to see anything of significance over booking direct with O), I have never seen any company offering the benefits highlighted above - cashback, gratuities covered, etc. To the best of my knowledge, it just doesnt happen.

Deals may be “fewer and far between” but they do exist (anywhere in the world). It just may take some research and negotiating skill to get what I call the “parking lot price” (i.e., the vendor’s final offer as you walk out the door or hasten to end the phone call).

FWIW: I was very fortunate to grow up in Brooklyn where the first full sentence a small child learns to speak is “Never pay retail.”

[RJB]

1 hour ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

Deals may be “fewer and far between” but they do exist (anywhere in the world). It just may take some research and negotiating skill to get what I call the “parking lot price” (i.e., the vendor’s final offer as you walk out the door or hasten to end the phone call).

FWIW: I was very fortunate to grow up in Brooklyn where the first full sentence a small child learns to speak is “Never pay retail.”

+ 1

[FetaCheese]

3 hours ago, Harters said:

I appreciate that the OP is in America and seems to be getting good advice from fellow Americans. But the benefits of using a TA there may not apply in other countries.

 

Whilst a British TA, specialising in cruises, may have negotiated a discount on a brochure price (but I have yet to see anything of significance over booking direct with O), I have never seen any company offering the benefits highlighted above - cashback, gratuities covered, etc. To the best of my knowledge, it just doesnt happen.

Are grats included in O UK fare prices?

[ORV]

57 minutes ago, FetaCheese said:

Are grats included in O UK fare prices?

Only if you've been on 10 or more Oceania cruises. 

[ronrick1943]

Fact is never book direct, always use a TA.  We live in California  and use a TA in Canada - never met them, it’s over the phone or computer.  Works and save $ with rebates and perks.  Check around and you’ll find the right one as long as you ask direct questions before you book or tranfer a booking.

[Flatbush Flyer]

21 minutes ago, ronrick1943 said:

Fact is never book direct, always use a TA.  We live in California  and use a TA in Canada - never met them, it’s over the phone or computer.  Works and save $ with rebates and perks.  Check around and you’ll find the right one as long as you ask direct questions before you book or tranfer a booking.

While I agree with “use a TA,” I most often book direct with O first via an O Ambassador onboard or with a trusted long-serving O Rep. Thrn I transfer the booking to a preferred TA within the 30 day transfer period. 
 

With book onboard, I get that discount and accompanying perks (plus the TA perks once transferred). With the specific O Rep I use (mostly for about-to-open itineraries, complicated bookings, e.g., with a mix of FCCs needing use/cruise/by deadline exceptions) I get another O resource for problem-solving (in addition to my TA) and my “go to” guy for ship tour pre-buy.

For example, new 2024 itineraries will open for bookings on May 4. That’s within 30 days of our next O cruise and our O phone rep will be able to do the “book onboard” deal for me. Then I’ll transfer to a TA. We all benefit from the deal in one way or another.

[ronrick1943]

1 hour ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

While I agree with “use a TA,” I most often book direct with O first via an O Ambassador onboard or with a trusted long-serving O Rep. Thrn I transfer the booking to a preferred TA within the 30 day transfer period. 
 

With book onboard, I get that discount and accompanying perks (plus the TA perks once transferred). With the specific O Rep I use (mostly for about-to-open itineraries, complicated bookings, e.g., with a mix of FCCs needing use/cruise/by deadline exceptions) I get another O resource for problem-solving (in addition to my TA) and my “go to” guy for ship tour pre-buy.

For example, new 2024 itineraries will open for bookings on May 4. That’s within 30 days of our next O cruise and our O phone rep will be able to do the “book onboard” deal for me. Then I’ll transfer to a TA. We all benefit from the deal in one way or another.

I agree with on board the ship for an extra discount—that’s why I added transfer the booking.

[Baz-t]

Grats used to be included in cruise price prior to covid lockdown. Since restart Grats are not included until 10 cruises, which we have now reached!

[jonthomas]

11 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

While I agree with “use a TA,” I most often book direct with O first via an O Ambassador onboard or with a trusted long-serving O Rep. Thrn I transfer the booking to a preferred TA within the 30 day transfer period. 
 

With book onboard, I get that discount and accompanying perks (plus the TA perks once transferred). With the specific O Rep I use (mostly for about-to-open itineraries, complicated bookings, e.g., with a mix of FCCs needing use/cruise/by deadline exceptions) I get another O resource for problem-solving (in addition to my TA) and my “go to” guy for ship tour pre-buy.

For example, new 2024 itineraries will open for bookings on May 4. That’s within 30 days of our next O cruise and our O phone rep will be able to do the “book onboard” deal for me. Then I’ll transfer to a TA. We all benefit from the deal in one way or another.

 

I do the same.